A few hours from now, the whole world will be
ushering in a new year.
Unlike last year, 2024 is bound to be an exciting
one.
Historically, political cymbals start to clang a year
before an election. Political drumbeaters are going
to be more apparent in the coming days.
Why?
The political season unofficially starts a year
before the actual elections, on the second Monday
of May 2025.
Around 10 months from now, we will have a
clearer picture of the local political landscape since
it will be time to file for certificates of candidacy.
However, the actual campaign period will not start
until a few weeks before the actual elections.
THE LANDSCAPE
Unlike in 2021, the potential bets for governor
remain silent.
Even inculbent Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado
remains mum.
Yet, it is expected that he will run for re-election
and perhaps replicate what his father had
achieved–three terms as governor.
As of this writing, there are no credible opponents
posing against the incumbent governor.
Perhaps we could see some surprises in the
coming weeks or months, as some observers put
it.
The three district representatives are expected to
run for re-election. Reps. Edgar Chatto and
Kristine Alexie Tutor are running for their
respective third and final terms. That is the
expectation. Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado is
expected to run for re-election as well.
Among the board members, Aldner Damalerio,
Lucille Lagunay, Mimi Boniel, and Elpidio Bonita
are the ones expected to run for their respective
third and final terms.
THE GRAPEVINE
Rumors are swirling about the possibility of former
Tagbilaran City mayor John Geesnell Yap running
either as congressman of the first district or as
governor.
Yet, Baba Yap denies he has plans to run.
He categorically denied that he had committed to
running for congressman. Earlier, he distanced
himself from the tarpaulins installed in various
areas of Bohol, suggesting the former mayor as a
viable opponent of Gov. Aumentado.
CLEAR PICTURE
The clearest political picture so far is the fact that
Benjie Oliva will run for mayor of Catigbian.
Oliva, a former administrator of the Cooperative
Development Authority, has already indicated his
intent to run for mayor of his hometown.
Incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace is
stepping down after her current term to focus on
her business.
IT’S 2024
A few hours from now, a new year enters the
scene.
People are now frantically buying round fruits for
media noche or the meal at the strike of midnight.
Reports indicate that the prices of fruits have
skyrocketed this year compared to last year.
Some observers attribute the increase in the prices
of fruits to inflation and the effects of the law of
supply and demand.
On the other hand, the prices of firecrackers and
other pyrotechnics have also increased this year.
According to reports, firecracker suppliers have
jacked up their prices.
Most of the firecrackers sold in Bohol are from
Luzon, reports add.
The firecrackers are generally sold outside of
Tagbilaran City. An ordinance bans the sale of
firecrackers within the capital of Bohol.